Railway crossing



May 22, 1928.

. 1,670,845 C. J. COOLEY RAILWAY CROSSING Filed June 16, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l C. (I 00 g 5 4 0 7 w 1 mm I Lw m 0C Y .A W 1 m May 22, 1928.

Filed June 16, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iii Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES CARL JOHN COOLEY, OF NEWCOMERSTOW'N, OHIO.

RAILWAY CROSSING.

Application filed June 16, 1927. Serial No. 199,304.

This invention aims to overcome the shock and noise incident to the wheels of rollin stock passing over the intersection of rails at crossings and to provide a continuous track free from the usual gap or space which is the cause of the trouble which the present invention seeks to surmount. I

The invention contemplates rail sections at the crossings of the rails mounted to turn and aline with either of the crossing tracks to preventformation of the usual gaps, so that the car wheels have a continuous support and are not subjected to jar as when passing over the usual gaps at crossings.

The invention furthermore provides novel connecting and operating means for therail sections to admit of simultaneous movement thereof, and stop means to limit the throw in each direction and assure alinement of the rail sections with the track rails.

The invention also devises lock means for securing the rail sections in either operative position and thereby prevent any possible displacement thereof.

\Vhile the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be Varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted towithin the scope of the invention as claimed, Without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, referenceis to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a railway crossing embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a Vertical, central sectional view thereof on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the lock operating member with the covering plate removed.

Figure .4 is a detail sectional view of one of the rail sections and intimately associated parts on the line 44 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional View on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail, sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The crossing rails are designated by the numerals 1 and 2, said rails being provided in pairs to match the rails of the crossing track. A base plate 3 is provided for each of the four corners, and in the preferable construction may form a part of the crossing rails, thereby obviating loos-e joints. Circular bosses i are formed on the base plate 8 and constitute bearings for rail sections The rail-sections 5 consist of plugs or circular blocks and have their lower ends reduced and formed intermediate their ends with cog teeth 6. The lower reduced end includes a circular portion 7 and a square or angular portion 8 upon which is fitted a disk 9. A cap plate 10 secured to the lower end of the section 5 retains the disk 9 in place. A pair of rack bars 11 is provided for each of the rail sections 5 and the teeth thereof engage the. cog teeth 6. The rack bars 11 of each pair are disposed upon opposite sides of the rail sections, thereby equalizing the force e. pended for turning the rail sections when required. Corresponding pairs of rack bars 11 are pivotally connected to the lever 12. Two bellcrank levers l3 are conveniently positioned adjacent the crossing and a member of each is connected to a link 14:. A red 15 connects the other member of each of the bell crank levers 13 with the lever 12. The link 14 extends to a stand or tower, not shown, to admit of operating the rail sections from a convenient point. The disk 9 coacting with each of the rail sections 5 is provided with a projection 16 which operates in a cut away portion 17 of the bearing member 1, whereby to limit the movement of the rail sections in each direction, and

assure alinement of the rail sections with 9,

the track rails, thereby to provide a continuous upbearing surface for the wheels of the rolling stock, and thereby prevent any jar or jolt at the crossing.

A look member 18 is provided for each of the rail sections 5 and operates through an opening formed in a side of the bearing member 4:, and is adapted to engage one of two openings formed in a side of the rail sections 5, whereby to secure the latter in each of its extreme positions. The lock operating member 19 is disposed centrally of the crossing and is of circular outline and formed with outwardly disposed projections 20, to which the lock members 18 are pivoted. The member 19 is mounted upon a stud 21 projecting upwardly from a base plate 22 secured to a cross piece forming a part of the crossing casting or applied tothe road bed in any determinate way. A cap plate 23 secured to the upper end of the stud 21 holds the member 19 in place. A projection 24: at the side of the stud 21 operates in a cut away portion 25 of the member 19 and limits the movement of the latter. rod 26 connects the lock operating member 19 to a bell crank lever 27 which, in turn, is connected by means of a rod 28 to a suitable operating part conveniently positioned to admit of operating the lock mechanism to secure or release the rail sections as required.

The crossing rails 1 and 2, are grooved to receive the flanges of the car wheels and the are correspondingly grooved rail sections 0 in their top sides, to match the grooves of the crossing rails when turned toaline therewith. WVhen the lock members 18 are Withdrawn from engagement with the rail sections 5, the latter may be turned to coact with the rails of either one of the tracks, and after the rail sections have been adjusted to the required position, displacement thereof is prevented by adjusting the lock members 18 to engage with the rail sections, as indicated most clearly in Figure l of the drawings. By forming the crossing rails 1 and 2, the bearing members 1 and the base plate 3 together a' simple and durable structure results and there is no chance for the parts to become loose, as when the structure is built up of a number of parts which are connected by bolts or other fastening means. The provision of stop means prevents overthrowing of the movable parts and assures alining of the rail sections with the track rails. The base plates 3 rest upon ties, the same as the track rails.

Having thus described the invention, I

claim:

1. A railroad crossing comprising crossing rails, rail sections at the corners of the crossing to provide a continuous upbearing surface for the car wheels, said rail sections being mounted to turn andprovided with cog teeth, and a pair of rack bars for each of the rail sections, and disposed to operate upon opposite sides thereof and engage the cog teeth at opposite points, whereby to equalize the application of the force expended to turn the rail sections.

2. A railroad crossing comprising crossing rails, rail sections at the four corners of the crossing, a pair of operating members for each of the rail sections and disposed upon opposite sides thereof, a lever for corresponding pairs of operating members, and means for actuating both levers simultaneously.

3. A railroad crossing comprising crossing rails, bearing members connecting adjacent ends of the rails, rail sections mounted in the bearing members, a pair of operating members for each of the rail sections dis 4. A railroad crossing comprising cross-:

ing rails, bearing members at the intersection of the respective rails, rail sections mounted in the bearing members and having their lower ends reduced'to provide circular non-circular portions, and toothed intermediate their ends, discs secured to the noncircular portions'of the rail sections and provided with projections to cooperate with the bearings to limit the movements of the rail sections, operating means including toothed elements engaging opposite sides of the toothed portions of the respective rail sections, lock members operable through the said bearing members and engageable with the rail sections, and a rotary member for operating the lock members.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CARL JOHN COOLEY. [n s] 

